Andrew M. Maynard
Encyclopedia
Andrew M. Maynard is an American politician
from Connecticut
. A Democrat
, he is a member of the Connecticut State Senate
representing the state's 18th district.
A resident of Stonington
, Maynard represents the towns of Griswold
, Groton
, North Stonington
, Plainfield
, Preston
, Sterling
, Stonington and Voluntown
.
Maynard won narrow election to the senate in 2006, defeating his Republican
opponent, state representative
Lenny Winkler, by 51.4% to 48.6% — a margin of 832 votes. He was re-elected by a wide margin in 2008, winning 67% to his opponent's 33%. He was re-elected in 2010, in an unusual campaign which was waged in cooperation with his Republican opponent, Stuart Norman. The two of them traveled together and politely debated each other at campaign stops. This civility was unusual enough in the divisive 2010 election year that it was covered by the Daily Show.
He serves as Assistant Majority Whip and as Chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Environment, General Law, and Program Review and Investigations Committees.
Prior to his election to the senate, Andrew Maynard had a 10-year career in local and regional government. He had served as Stonington's borough warden since 1999, leading the town as its chief elected official. He was also heavily involved in the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, serving as vice chair and leading its Legislative Committee.
He had run for the senate in 2004, losing by ten points to six-term incumbent Cathy Cook. Cook retired from the senate in 2006, and joined the Rell ticket running for the post of state comptroller, losing to Nancy Wyman
.
Maynard was educated at St. Bernard High School in Uncasville
and earned his bachelors' degree from Connecticut College
in New London
.
Maynard is openly gay and is one of two gay
members of the Connecticut General Assembly
, serving alongside Sen. Beth Bye
(D-West Hartford
).
Politics of the United States
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States , Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments.The executive branch is headed by the President...
from Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he is a member of the Connecticut State Senate
Connecticut Senate
The Connecticut State Senate is the upper house of the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The state senate comprises 36 members, each representing a district with around 94,600 inhabitants. Senators are elected to two-year terms without term limits...
representing the state's 18th district.
A resident of Stonington
Stonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
, Maynard represents the towns of Griswold
Griswold, Connecticut
Griswold is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 10,807 at the 2000 census. Griswold contains one borough, Jewett City, and also contains the villages of Doaneville,Rixtown, Glasgo, Hopeville, and Pachaug...
, Groton
Groton, Connecticut
Groton is a town located on the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,907 at the 2000 census....
, North Stonington
North Stonington, Connecticut
North Stonington is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,991 at the 2000 census. North Stonington was split off from Stonington in 1724.-Geography:...
, Plainfield
Plainfield, Connecticut
Plainfield is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 14,619 at the 2000 census. The town comprises four villages: Plainfield , Moosup , Wauregan , and Central Village . Each village has their own respective United States Post Office and fire department...
, Preston
Preston, Connecticut
Preston is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,688 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Long Society, Preston City, and Poquetanuck.-History:...
, Sterling
Sterling, Connecticut
Sterling is a town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,099 at the 2000 census.-Local History:The town was incorporated in 1794 following approval of the CT Assembly, and was carved from northern part of the Town of Voluntown...
, Stonington and Voluntown
Voluntown, Connecticut
Voluntown is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,528 at the 2000 census. From 1726 to 1881 Voluntown had been part of Windham County.-Geography:...
.
Maynard won narrow election to the senate in 2006, defeating his Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
opponent, state representative
Connecticut House of Representatives
The Connecticut House of Representatives is the lower house in the Connecticut General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The house is composed of 151 members representing an equal number of districts, with each constituency containing nearly 22,600 residents...
Lenny Winkler, by 51.4% to 48.6% — a margin of 832 votes. He was re-elected by a wide margin in 2008, winning 67% to his opponent's 33%. He was re-elected in 2010, in an unusual campaign which was waged in cooperation with his Republican opponent, Stuart Norman. The two of them traveled together and politely debated each other at campaign stops. This civility was unusual enough in the divisive 2010 election year that it was covered by the Daily Show.
He serves as Assistant Majority Whip and as Chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Environment, General Law, and Program Review and Investigations Committees.
Prior to his election to the senate, Andrew Maynard had a 10-year career in local and regional government. He had served as Stonington's borough warden since 1999, leading the town as its chief elected official. He was also heavily involved in the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, serving as vice chair and leading its Legislative Committee.
He had run for the senate in 2004, losing by ten points to six-term incumbent Cathy Cook. Cook retired from the senate in 2006, and joined the Rell ticket running for the post of state comptroller, losing to Nancy Wyman
Nancy Wyman
Nancy S. Wyman is the 108thThe State of Connecticut recognizes Nancy Wyman as the 108th Lieutenant Governor, using a standard that had counted Colonial period lieutenants as well as counting lieutenants who had served multiple times as only one individual figure. Wyman is considered the 88th...
.
Maynard was educated at St. Bernard High School in Uncasville
Uncasville, Connecticut
Uncasville is an area in the town of Montville, Connecticut. The area traditionally known as Uncasville is a village in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River...
and earned his bachelors' degree from Connecticut College
Connecticut College
Connecticut College is a private liberal arts college located in New London, Connecticut.The college was founded in 1911, as Connecticut College for Women, in response to Wesleyan University closing its doors to women...
in New London
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
.
Maynard is openly gay and is one of two gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
members of the Connecticut General Assembly
Connecticut General Assembly
The Connecticut General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is a bicameral body composed of the 151-member House of Representatives and the 36-member Senate. It meets in the state capital, Hartford. There are no term limits for either chamber.During...
, serving alongside Sen. Beth Bye
Beth Bye
Beth Bye is an American politician from Connecticut. A Democrat, she is a member of the Connecticut Senate representing the 5th district, which includes parts of Bloomfield and Farmington, all of Burlington and all of her hometown of West Hartford...
(D-West Hartford
West Hartford, Connecticut
West Hartford is a town located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The town was incorporated in 1854. Prior to that date, the town was a parish of Hartford....
).